diff --git a/onionr/communicator/__init__.py b/onionr/communicator/__init__.py
index 70f668dc..72816fb3 100755
--- a/onionr/communicator/__init__.py
+++ b/onionr/communicator/__init__.py
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ class OnionrCommunicatorDaemon:
         # Adjust initial timer triggers
         peerPoolTimer.count = (peerPoolTimer.frequency - 1)
         cleanupTimer.count = (cleanupTimer.frequency - 60)
-        blockCleanupTimer.count = (blockCleanupTimer.frequency - 5)
+        blockCleanupTimer.count = (blockCleanupTimer.frequency - 2)
 
         shared_state.add(self)
 
diff --git a/onionr/httpapi/directconnections/__init__.py b/onionr/httpapi/directconnections/__init__.py
index 7a626303..80e3b82a 100644
--- a/onionr/httpapi/directconnections/__init__.py
+++ b/onionr/httpapi/directconnections/__init__.py
@@ -51,10 +51,10 @@ class DirectConnectionManagement:
             resp = "pending"
             if pubkey in communicator.direct_connection_clients:
                 resp = communicator.direct_connection_clients[pubkey]
-            
-            """Spawn a thread that will create the client and eventually add it to the
-            communicator.active_services 
-            """
-            threading.Thread(target=onionrservices.OnionrServices().create_client, args=[pubkey, communicator], daemon=True).start()
+            else:
+                """Spawn a thread that will create the client and eventually add it to the
+                communicator.active_services 
+                """
+                threading.Thread(target=onionrservices.OnionrServices().create_client, args=[pubkey, communicator], daemon=True).start()
 
             return Response(resp)
\ No newline at end of file